Newzoo: Esports has caught up with MLB and NHL with a key segment — male millenials

A new report from research firm Newzoo states that male millennials (ages 21 to 35) watch esports as often as baseball or hockey, with each activity claiming 22 percent of men from that age group as fans. This is one of the most important demographics for advertisers, who are willing to spend big ad money to target young men. Newzoo projects that esports will earn $1.1 billion in revenues by 2019. The growth is attracting attention from investors and groups from traditional sports, including team owners.

“The huge interest in esports from sports celebrities, clubs, media companies, and brands alike illustrate how games are leading the media and entertainment business towards a new future that has more in common with games than not,” Newzoo noted in an e-mail sent to GamesBeat. “Games bring innovation in tech and consumer business models, and have a unique ability to engage with and actively involve the younger generations. Traditional and digital media and sports companies bring experience in providing advertisers with an effective communication platform. There clearly is a natural, strategic, and commercial fit.”